“My daughter and I traveled to Panama to get some relief from a frigid, ice and snow-covered landscape in Cleveland, Ohio. We decided to try the mountains of Chiriqui (to the west of Panama City) where the climate would be more temperate, and we found the perfect place in Rancho de Caldera. The hotel and restaurant officially opened in January 2009, so all facilities and equipment sparkle with newness. Daytime temperatures top out in the 80s and combined with the ever-present breezes, means you don't need air conditioning (although all cabins are outfitted with it).

With only nine cabins in total, the hotel and restaurant feel more like your personal country estate than a hotel. The owner, Gina McCall, is available to eat with you (if you're interested), and she and the staff are available to arrange activities during your visit. The food in the restaurant (open for lunch and dinner, 5 days per week) is excellent - the menu offers choices for both meat and pasta lovers (vegetarian options are also offered).

“In the seven days we were there, we rode their horses, hiked their 1.2 mile driveway daily, hiked several other trails, went white-water rafting, spent one morning “tree trekking" (known [in] other places as “zip lining") in a harness hanging from a wire cable 100s of feet above the mountainous forest, visited some hot springs tucked away in a remote area, shopped in Boquete on the sides of the 11,500' volcano named Baru, swam in the Caldera River and in Rancho de Caldera's infinity pool, napped on our private decks overlooking the mountains, and awoke to rainbows nearly every day.

“Other reasons to choose this location: Panama uses US dollars as its currency, is friendly and safe, and does not get hurricanes because of its location south and west of Columbia (Columbia gets hit instead). If you go, spend one day in Panama City touring the Canal to make your trip the perfect Panama experience."